ships passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ships passing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe fleeting encounters or moments between people or things that do not last. An example is: "Their relationship felt like ships passing in the night." Alternative expressions include "fleeting encounters," "passing moments," and "transient interactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You could see the ships passing by".

The New York Times

Turkey cannot charge tolls or stop ships passing through.

The Economist

Or are we two ships passing in the night?

The Washington Post

They are like two ships passing in the night.

The New York Times - Science

"We're often just ships passing in the night," he said.

The New York Times

Ships passing in the night : the ICC, the Kenyan government, and the TJRC.

Stanford University

6. Ships passing in the night: the ICC, the Kenyan government, and the TJRC Index.

Stanford University

The bridge, arcing high into the air, has tall ships passing beneath.

The New York Times

Sceptics about euro membership compare the recent alignment to ships passing in the night.

The Economist

At one point, the moderator commented that Valenti and Lessig were "ships passing in the night".

The New Yorker

When I got involved, these were ships passing in the night.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning of a brief, non-impactful encounter.

Common error

Avoid using "ships passing" when the interaction actually results in a significant change or impact. The phrase implies a lack of lasting effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ships passing" typically functions as part of a simile or metaphor. It's used to describe situations where entities meet briefly without any lasting impact or connection, as seen in many examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ships passing" is a common idiom used to describe fleeting encounters or missed connections. As supported by numerous examples on Ludwig, it effectively conveys a sense of brief, inconsequential interaction. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its applications span various contexts, from describing personal relationships to political situations, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the lack of lasting impact or sustained engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ships that pass in the night

More verbose, but almost identical in meaning and conveys the sense of anonymity.

missed connections

Highlights the failure to establish a meaningful relationship or understanding.

brief encounters

Focuses on the brevity of the interactions.

transient interactions

Highlights the temporary nature of the interaction

fleeting glimpses

Emphasizes the short duration and incomplete nature of the view or meeting.

momentary intersections

Emphasizes the brief overlap in paths or experiences.

chance meetings

Implies unplanned and coincidental encounters.

paths crossing briefly

Focuses on the transient nature of shared trajectories.

parallel paths

Suggests movement alongside each other without convergence.

never the twain shall meet

Emphasizes the fundamental incompatibility or divergence that prevents lasting connection.

FAQs

What does the idiom "ships passing in the night" mean?

The idiom "ships passing in the night" refers to two people or things that encounter one another briefly but do not have any real connection or sustained interaction. It implies a fleeting, often inconsequential, meeting.

How can I use "ships passing in the night" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe relationships, events, or ideas that coincide without any deep connection. For example, "Their political agendas were like "ships passing in the night"; they never addressed each other directly."

What are some alternative phrases to "ships passing in the night"?

Alternatives include "fleeting encounter", "missed connection", or "brief meeting", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "ships passing in the night"?

Not necessarily. While it often implies a lack of meaningful interaction, it can also simply describe a situation where schedules or circumstances prevent deeper engagement, without necessarily assigning blame or negativity.